Pool Safety When Using Pool Lifts this summer

A pool lift makes the pool safer but pay heed to basic safety tips that can impact the performance and safety of the lift, too. For instance, supervise children and pets around the equipment and take care to clean and inspect routinely. With basic maintenance, you should enjoy swimming in your pool with the aid of your pool lift for many summer seasons to come!

Planning to take a dip this summer? If you live with physical disabilities or limitations, a pool lift may be the ideal equipment for your home environment this summer. Do you have a swimming pool? Know that there is more to installing a lift and maintaining safety around the pool than merely investing in mobility aids and equipment;  remember that safety starts when shopping for the device. Begin to educate and train others in the household of good practice and proper protocol regarding the pool lift.

Caring for Pool Lifts

Schedule regular inspections for your pool and pool lift to further ensure safety- saltwater pools can take a toll on the mechanisms inside your lift. An inspection identifies if the salt is corroding important fixtures that may impact lift performance and safety. If possible, store outdoor lifts inside during inclement winter weather conditions; a good rule of thumb is if you are not using the pool, bring the pool lift indoors.

Supervising the Lift

Consider other safety tips that will also prevent damage to your pool’s surface. Never allow children or pets to play or climb on your pull lift. This lift is an investment item and should be treated as such which means no tomfoolery near or around the pool deck talk to your mobility aid retailer about warranties that will provide coverage for consequential damage as well as provide peace of mind to homeowners widely.

Clearing the Track

Pay special attention to the track of your lift; the track is the essential component of any lift- pool, stair, or vehicle- that allows for the gentle movement and transport of the user. Obstacles, clutter, debris, or even dirt can impact its performance and cause issues. The track should be kept clean and clear, while also inspecting it periodically to ensure it is working up to par.  It helps to write down when you have the lift inspected, the pool cleaned, or other maintenance tasks.  Make sure to rinse down a pool lift and track daily when in use; use fresh water for this.

Watching the Weight

Never push the boundaries of your pool lift with extra weight. There are weight limits in place for a reason, though if the user needs more weight capacity, there are lifts intended for that purpose. Using the lift improperly, such as exceeding its weight limit, can be dangerous, damaging, and detrimental. Not sure of the weight limit for your device? Consult with the owner’s manual or the retailer to find out.

Safety Using the Pool Lift

Using a lift is easy, but make sure that you observe the manufacturer’s recommendations for use to ensure safety and longevity with your pool lift. Here are some other basic lift tips:

• Read and maintain a copy of your owner’s manual for the pool lift. Refer to it as needed.
• Keep any spare batteries for your lift or other mobility aids in a cool, dry spot. Do not store these outside or in areas where there are temperature fluctuations or extreme weather.
• Always keep a spare battery on-hand for your lift.
• Use a cover vigilantly to keep dirt and debris out of the pool. This also helps protect the lift from the elements.
• Only allow qualified mobility technicians to work on, service, or repair your pool lift. Allowing anyone besides a professional work on the lift may render the warranty null and void, in many cases.

Keep Rust at Bay

It is important to know that the gears, batteries, hardware, and terminals are impacted by corrosion and rust that can organically occur without regular maintenance and cleaning. Over time, the corrosion can damage the lift and compromise functionality.  

Basic Pool Protocol

With warmer weather and lazy days by the pool ahead, it merits reminders related to basic pool safety tips– whether you use a lift or not:

• Keep the pool clean and test the water for chemical treatment. Too much added chemicals can burn the skin, while too little can cause bacteria.
• Always cover the pool. It keeps kids and pets out and also conserves energy.
• Keep the area secure with a fence and a gate that locks.
• Inspect and maintain pool drains as well as the drain covers to prevent accidents and injury.

Remember that routine inspections help to keep equipment working optimally- while also keeping the user safe.

Do you have a pool? A lift can make it a more accessible place for those living with physical limitations or disabilities. Want to learn more about a pool lift for this summer? Call or visit to talk to the mobility experts at Pacific Mobility today.